At the Embassy of Japan

What a great honor to be invited at the Embassy of Japan in Athens for the Lafcadio Hearn Book Donation Ceremony!

Many thanks to the Embassy of Japan and Mitsubishi Corporation

for the kind invitation.

At the entrance of the hall were the three books "Kotto", "Japanese Miscellany" and "Kwaidan" and older editions of Lafcadio Hearn's books, kindly donated to the Embassy of Japan by Mr. Takis Efstathiou.

Before the Ceremony begins I accepted the congratulations of Minister of Education Mr. Nikos Filis (left). The other persons of the photo are the professor Mr. Kleomenis Petroheilos, the international coordinator, consultant of the Koizumi Family and collector Takis Efstathiou and his excellency the Ambassador Mr. Masuo Nishibayashi.

(Photo: Tsirigo FM-Maria Petroheilou)

His excellency the Ambassador of Japan Mr. Masuo Nishibayashi.

The Executive Vice President of Mitsubishi Corporation Mr. Haruki Hayashi donated to the Minister of Education, Research and Religious Affairs of Greece Mr. Nikos Filis the Lafcadio Hearn books which I have traslated as a present for the Greek Junior High School students.

The three gentlemen, his excellency the Ambassador of Japan in Greece, the Minister of Education, Research and Religious Affairs of Greece and the Executive Vice President of Mitsubishi Corporation are ready for the Kagamiwari, the ceremony which brings blessings of health, happiness and prosperity.

Kampai!

The kagami (the cask) after the Kagamiwari.

Here I am among Mr. Haruki Hayashi and Mr. Takis Efstathiou after the ceremony.

Here I am with two admirers of the great Japanese culture: the haiku poetess and artist Zoe Savina and professor Stelios Papalexandropoulos.

It was an event to remember. As the translator and editor, I am deeply touched because Lafcadio Hearn books will be send to the Hight School Libraries. So the young readers will have the opportunity to approach his spirit and the great Japanese culture.